Crew from Troop 267 went on epic backpacking adventure at
Philmont Scout Ranch
During the summer of 2021, a crew of ten Scouts and 3 adult advisors went on a 12-day trek through Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont spans over 140,000 acres of vast wilderness that creates an unforgettable Rocky Mountain landscape. Crew 628-N hiked more than 100 miles and climbed Baldy Mountain - one of the highest mountains in New Mexico at 12,441 feet. Crew 628-N navigated by map and compass through Philmont’s legendary backcountry with packs weighing up to 50 pounds.
Crew 628-N
A preplanned duty roster kept their days running efficiently as pairs of scouts rotated through five essential duties: navigating to reach each day’s new camping location; refilling the crew’s water supply and starting the fire; constructing the dining fly to prepare meals under and cleaning up afterward; cooking dinner and sometimes breakfasts; and hoisting bear bags before going to sleep. Bear bags are used to prevent smellables from attracting wildlife. Smellables include all food-related items and anything with a scent that could potentially draw bears into the campsite.
Every morning they packed up again, adhering to the Scouting principals of Leave No Trace, and they set off to their next unique destination. Along the way they participated in exciting backcountry programs with Philmont staff members dressed in period costumes from the Old West providing interpretive history and entertaining campfire programs. Their itinerary included black powder shooting, blacksmithing, railroading, cowboy action shooting, spar pole climbing, branding, gold mining and team-building challenges. During their journey they got to see the first confirmed T-Rex footprint in the world, and ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs and archeology sites.
Under the guidance of Crew Leader Sam, they endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs, and often-inclement weather. It rained every day of their trek. They hiked through hail and thunderstorms, mud and streams. On the Fourth of July, the skies cleared as they all climbed Baldy Mountain – the highest peak in the ranch, offering endless views that extend all the way into Colorado. Excited and anxious families were delighted to receive a message conveying the crew’s safety and accomplishment from the adult Lead Advisor, Ed Kreibick. The summit of Baldy is one of only a few places on the ranch with the potential for cell phone reception.
As the Scouts began their decent down Baldy, the skies opened up and a thunder and lightning storm engulfed them. While hiking along a treeless ridge at about 10,000 feet, pea-sized hail began pelting them from above. Despite the fact that they had already hiked about 10 miles with a dramatic climb that day, the crew ran down the mountain to find tree cover at lower elevation. Afterward they described being doused with hail at such a high altitude as a feeling like, “thousands of air soft pellets hitting you at the same time!”
The Scouts took advantage of the unique opportunity to add a burro (donkey) to their crew just as the miners on the Ranch once did. Burro Master Jakob took the reigns and incorporated their furry crew mate, named Pierre, into their routine. Jakob and the crew learned about animal care and patience while they put their diamond hitch knot-tying skills to the test for a few days while Pierre helped carry some gear and food through tough, muddy trails.
The trek also included conservation service project. The crew’s Wilderness Pledge Guia (Guide) Larson led the Scouts in a project to help with the upkeep of Philmont’s ecosystem by creating a natural fire break to protect a vulnerable staff camp. The crew followed both the Leave No Trace and Philmont Wilderness Pledge principles, and with the assistance of their Philmont Ranger they earned the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award.
Chaplain’s Aide John led the crew in daily devotionals and Troop 267’s tradition of Roses, Thorns, and Buds. During this practice, each crew member states their rose (something they liked about the day), thorn (something they disliked about the day), and bud (what they are looking forward to tomorrow or in the near future).
Assistant Crew Leader Jack took the lead for two days, and Historian Ethan artistically captured their unique and exciting expedition on a GoPro video camera. Hours of footage and commentary will be treasured by the crew and their families forever.
Their long-anticipated trek was coordinated by Assistant Scoutmaster and Lead Advisor Mr Kreibick, who ventured to Philmont as a Boy Scout himself. Mr Kreibick planned the trip with an initial day of sight-seeing to help the crew acclimate to the higher altitude at which they began their adventure in New Mexico. They rode the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque; hiked at Bandelier National Monument; visited Los Alamos, home of the first atomic bomb; and enjoyed dinner in Sante Fe the night before they headed to Philmont Scout Ranch.
Crew 628-N describes their 14-day journey as a truly unforgettable experience. They made what amounts to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont. It’s the BSA’s premier high adventure base which has served more than a million participants since 1938. Philmont is the world’s largest youth camp, consisting of about 220 square miles. There are 315 miles of trails, 35 staffed backcountry camps and 770 campsites in total, surrounded by a beautiful backdrop in the southern-most part of the Rocky Mountains.
Philmont Scout Ranch is also a working cattle ranch with 250 horses, 85 burros, 320 cattle, 140 buffalo, and 7 ponies. They produce 300 tons of hay each year. It’s home to antelope, mountain lions, hundreds of elk and bears, and more than 1,500 deer. The crew spotted deer and elk along their backpacking route. But they never did see any bears aside from an abundance of “minibears,” which is the well-known nickname for the curious and foraging squirrels and chipmunks in the backcountry.
Troop 267 organizes a trip to one of the BSA’s four high adventure bases every few years.
Contact us to learn more about BSA Troop 267 based in West Hempfield Township.